Starting Kids Early – August 5, 2020
Science is based on curiosity. Kids naturally explore and discover while playing: often they are inquisitive about everything, love to experiment, and in the process, learn more about the world around them. Research suggests that by the age of 7, most children have developed either a positive or negative attitude towards science education that will remain entrenched. Imagine – age 7!
Science is important in that, directly and indirectly, it influences all aspects of everyday life. Science promotes the development of critical thinking skills – something critically needed now in the time of a pandemic where misinformation and fear is spreading!
Children being exposed to science from an early age can gain crucial skills important in the everyday as well: collaborative skills, team working and perseverance, as well as analytical, reasoning and problem-solving skills. By emphasizing that the process is more important than the results, we can channel their curiosity at an early age. We can guide them, but, ultimately, the children should take the lead in their explorations, so that they begin to build a life-long love of science.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing and with lots of uncertainty in the air about what the future holds, especially in regards to children going back to school, Science in the Wild would like to share an opportunity for families with children. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), based in Boulder, Colorado, is hosting a kids science show online tomorrow, Thursday, August 6, from 10 – 11:30 AM MDT. This is a free public event and people of all ages can join in. Let’s get excited about science!